Beigan Township Travel Guide

Beigan’s main settlements are Tangqi (the commercial heart), Qinbi (the scenic village), Baisha harbour and small villages along the coastal road. The airport sits on a small peninsula with a tunnel linking to Houwo; ferries dock at Baisha. Most visitors base themselves in Tangqi or Qinbi and explore on foot or by short taxi rides along the island’s single coastal loop road.

Costs: Costs vary widely; budget travellers can keep daily expenses low but transport between islands can add significantly to the total. - Basic guesthouses and local meals keep costs low but transport between islands can add up.

Safety: Generally safe - Low crime but there is a visible military presence and weather can make sea travel hazardous.

Best Time: Apr-Jun, Sep-Oct - Milder, drier weather and clearer sea conditions for boat trips.

Beigan Township sits on Beigan Island, the second largest island in the Matsu Islands, about 110 nautical miles northwest of Taiwan Island. The island is long and narrow, with a highest peak at Mount Bi and a scattering of small villages linked by a single coastal road. The township population is small and life here still revolves around fishing, farming and the sea.

Beigan has a layered history: prehistoric settlement, traditional Fujian fishing villages, and decades of frontline military significance during the cross-strait standoffs. That past left tunnels, fortifications and a cautionary coastal landscape that contrast with the island’s peaceful village life today. Tangqi is the main service centre, Qinbi draws visitors for its cliffside stone houses and views, and Baisha is the working harbour.

Visiting Beigan feels low-key and local. Expect simple accommodation in family-run guesthouses, basic eateries near the port and short hikes along coastal ridges and to viewpoints. Day-trip options include Daqiu Island for its Formosan sika deer and short ferry hops to neighbouring Matsu islands when schedules permit.

Visit Beigan for sweeping sea vistas, well-preserved stone villages and the chance to see a quieter side of Taiwan’s outlying islands. Qinbi Village offers picture-postcard views, while the Beihai Tunnel and other military relics provide a window into the islands’ strategic past. Outdoor activities are short and accessible - coastal walks, viewpoint hikes and boat trips to Daqiu Island to see wild sika deer.

Beigan has a subtropical climate with warm, humid summers and cool, breezy winters; rain concentrates in late spring and summer. Choose shoulder seasons for clearer skies and calmer seas.

Beigan is reached by air and by local ferry services from other Matsu islands. Schedules are limited and both flights and ferries are often subject to weather-related changes.

• By Air: Beigan Airport: There are scheduled domestic flights to Beigan from Taiwan (usually from Taipei Songshan) when services run; flight time is around an hour. Expect fares and frequency to vary by season and airlines, and cancellations if visibility or winds are poor.
• By Sea: Ferry from Nangan and other Matsu islands: Regular passenger ferries link Beigan with nearby Nangan and occasional services to other Matsu isles; crossing times are typically under an hour when seas are calm. Tickets are sold in NT$ at the harbour and schedules change with weather, so check local timetables in advance.

Beigan is compact and most sights are a short ride apart; many visitors combine walking with short taxi or minibus trips. Boat trips to nearby islets are common but weather-dependent.

• Walking: Qinbi and Tangqi are best explored on foot; short coastal walks and village lanes reveal viewpoints and traditional houses.
• Taxi / local minibus: Small taxis and occasional minibuses connect villages and the airport; expect short rides in NT$ per trip and to haggle little as fares are modest.
• Scooter rental: Scooters are available from local rental stands for confident riders and are a convenient way to sightsee, with daily rates typically set in NT$.
• Inter-island boats: Passenger boats link to Daqiu and Nangan; departures depend on sea conditions so plan flexibly and allow extra travel time for cancellations.

Dining is informal and centered on small family-run eateries and seafood stalls near Tangqi and the harbour. Expect freshly caught fish, simple noodle dishes and local specialties; meals are inexpensive and portions are generous. Tea shops and small bakeries provide snacks and light breakfasts.

Nightlife is very low-key with a few guesthouse common rooms and seaside cafes open in the evenings. Most visitors head out for sunset and early dinner then relax at their accommodation.

Shopping focuses on local souvenirs, dried seafood, small handicrafts and convenience goods sold around Tangqi and the ferry pier. There are no large shopping districts; buy specialty items like preserved seafood and local crafts at harbour-side stalls.